Apparatus for Fitting a Tap

ABSTRACT

There is provided a monobloc tap apparatus ( 201 ) for securely mounting to a sink ( 202 ). The apparatus comprises a monobloc unit ( 301 ) for positioning above the sink, a fastening plate ( 303 ) for positioning underneath the sink, the plate having three holes in a linear arrangement, and a securing bolt ( 305 ) insertable through the monobloc unit ( 301 ) and into the middle hole ( 603 ) of the fastening plate ( 303 ). The monobloc unit ( 301 ) comprises two locating collars ( 302 ) configured to pass through the two outermost holes ( 602 ) of the fastening plate ( 303 ), and the securing bolt ( 305 ) is configured to be tightened from above the sink ( 202 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 12 19 364.5 filed 26 Oct. 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for mounting a tap on a sink, and more particularly to apparatus for mounting a monobloc tap.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known to attach a monobloc tap, also known as a mixer tap, to a kitchen or bathroom sink using standard mounting methods. Such standard mounting methods usually require a 35 mm mounting hole in the sink. The monobloc tap is positioned above the 35 mm hole and secured from underneath the sink. Typically, a fixing plate is secured by a nut and a washer onto a fixing stud which is screwed into the tap body. A specially designed tube spanner is required for the tightening. This process needs to be carried out underneath the sink, whilst at the same time ensuring that the alignment of the tap body with the sink is maintained. It is therefore clearly difficult to achieve sufficient tightening of the securing components underneath the sink whilst checking on the tap and the tap frequently works loose. The 35 mm hole is a small hole to work through to secure the tap. Furthermore, when a kitchen tap is fitted, this process requires the plumber to work inside a kitchen cupboard in order to fit the monobloc tap, increasing the difficulty.

Although the problem of fitting monobloc taps from underneath the sink is known, no satisfactory solution has yet been provided. However, the present invention provides a convenient solution to this problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monobloc tap apparatus for mounting to a sink, the apparatus comprising: a monobloc unit for positioning above the sink, a fastening plate for positioning underneath the sink, the plate having three holes in a linear arrangement, a securing bolt insertable through the monobloc unit and into the middle hole of the fastening plate, wherein said monobloc unit comprises two locating collars configured to pass through the two outermost holes of the fastening plate, and further wherein said securing bolt is configured to be tightened from above the sink.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a monobloc tap apparatus to a sink, comprising the following steps: positioning a fastening plate underneath the sink, the plate having three holes in a linear arrangement; positioning a monobloc unit above the sink, the monobloc unit having two locating collars configured to be inserted through the two outermost holes of the fastening plate; screwing a hot water pipe and cold water pipe through the two outermost holes and into the two locating collars; inserting a securing bolt through the monobloc unit and into the middle hole in the fastening plate, and tightening the securing bolt from above the sink.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a plumber fitting a standard monobloc kitchen tap;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a monobloc tap fitted using apparatus embodied by the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus embodied by the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the apparatus in an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the monobloc unit embodied by the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the tightening plate embodied by the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative tightening plate embodied by the present invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart illustrating the method steps of fitting a monobloc tap embodied by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1

A plumber 101 installing a standard monobloc tap 102 of the prior art on a kitchen sink is shown in FIG. 1. Standard monobloc taps of the prior art require a 35 mm mounting hole in the sink and are fitted to the kitchen or bathroom sink by being secured from underneath the surface. Typically, a fixing plate is secured by a nut and a washer onto a fixing stud which is screwed into the tap body. At the same time, the tap body needs to be maintained in the correct position above the 35 mm mounting hole on the sink, which is a small hole to work through. This procedure is a difficult plumbing job as it is very awkward for the plumber 101 to see what he/she is doing underneath the sink where it is dark and there is not much space. It is particularly awkward underneath kitchen sinks as the monobloc tap installation involves the plumber working inside a kitchen cupboard. Specially designed spanners are required to aid this process and the taps frequently work loose, thus requiring future work to tighten them.

FIG. 2

A perspective view of apparatus 201 embodied by the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. The present proposal relates to monobloc tap apparatus 201 which can be firmly secured to a kitchen or bathroom sink from above the surface of the sink, which therefore circumvents the problem of the plumber carrying out the fitting from underneath the sink. As illustrated in FIG. 2, monobloc tap apparatus 201 is firmly secured to bathroom sink 202. The present proposal therefore relates to both the tap and associated fixtures to allow the installation from above, and to the method of installation.

FIG. 3

A cross sectional view of apparatus embodied by the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. The present proposal comprises a monobloc unit 301 which is placed in the appropriate position on the sink, above the mounting hole which is normally towards the back of the sink in a central position.

The monobloc unit has two locating collars 302, which may also be known as locating pegs or poles or dowel pins. Each locating collar 302 is typically 16 mm in diameter, although sizes may vary according to the diameter of water pipes. Each locating collar 302 is at least 6 mm in depth, namely each locating collar 302 protrudes at least 6 mm beneath the base of monobloc unit 301.

Fastening plate 303 comprises three circular holes in a linear arrangement, with two outermost holes and a central hole. Water pipes 304 are inserted through the two outermost holes before the mouth of each water pipe 304 is placed into locating collar 302 and turned to firmly attach water pipe 304 to monobloc unit 301.

Securing bolt 305 passes through a hole in the top of monobloc unit 301 when in position above the mounting hole on the sink and through the central hole of fastening plate 303. Securing bolt is typically an M8 bolt but any other suitable bolt may also fall within the scope of the invention. Securing bolt 305 can be firmly tightened from above the surface of the sink, thereby eliminating the problems of the prior art in which the tightening of the securing components must be performed from underneath the sink.

Once monobloc unit 301 is firmly in situ, water spout 306, tap handles 307 and water valves 308 are screwed onto monobloc unit 301.

FIG. 4

An exploded view of the apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. Monobloc unit 401 comprises two locating collars 402 (which may also be known as locating pegs or poles or dowel pins) on the underneath side of the unit when unit is in position above the mounting hole on the sink. Monobloc unit 401 comprises a central hole 403 for insertion of securing bolt 404 and attachment of water spout 405. Furthermore, monobloc unit 401 comprises points of attachment 406 for attaching water valves 407 and tap handles 408.

The apparatus further comprises fastening plate 409, which itself has three holes in an alignment. Fastening plate 409 is placed beneath the mounting hole of the sink and monobloc unit 401 is placed above the mounting hole of the sink. Locating collars 402 of monobloc unit 401 are configured such that they can be received by the two outermost holes of fastening plate 409.

Securing bolt 404 is then inserted through central hole 403 of monobloc unit 401 and through the central hole of fastening plate 409. Securing bolt 404 is typically an M8 bolt. Securing bolt 404 is tightened from above the surface of the sink, which advantageously means that the plumber does not need to perform the tightening in an awkward space underneath the sink. As securing bolt 404 is tightened, fastening plate is secured to underneath side of monobloc unit 401 and serves to prevent the monobloc unit 401 turning.

Once monobloc unit 401 is secured firmly on sink, water spout 405, water valves 407 and tap handles 408 are attached to unit 401.

Water pipes 410 each pass through one of the outermost holes of fastening plate 409 and screw into a locating collar 402.

FIG. 5

An exploded view of the apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. Monobloc unit 501 comprises two locating collars 502 (which may also be known as locating pegs or poles or dowel pins) on the underneath side of the unit when unit is in position above the mounting hole on the sink. Monobloc unit 501 comprises a central hole 503 for insertion of securing bolt 504 and attachment of water spout 505. Furthermore, monobloc unit 501 comprises points of attachment 506 for attaching water valves 507 and tap handles 508.

The apparatus further comprises fastening plate 509, which itself has three holes in an alignment. Fastening plate 509 has a central circular hole and two outermost semi-circular holes. Fastening plate 509 is placed beneath the mounting hole of the sink and monobloc unit 501 is placed above the mounting hole of the sink. Locating collars 502 of monobloc unit 501 are configured such that they can be received by the two outermost semi-circular holes of fastening plate 509.

Securing bolt 504 is then inserted through central hole 503 of monobloc unit 501 and through the central hole of fastening plate 509. Securing bolt 504 is typically an M8 bolt. Securing bolt 504 is tightened from above the surface of the sink, which advantageously means that the plumber does not need to perform the tightening in an awkward space underneath the sink. As securing bolt 504 is tightened, fastening plate is secured to underneath side of monobloc unit 501 and serves to prevent the monobloc unit 501 turning.

Once monobloc unit 501 is secured firmly on sink, water spout 505, water valves 507 and tap handles 508 are attached to unit 501.

Water pipes 510 each pass through one of the outermost holes of fastening plate 509 and screw into a locating collar 502.

FIG. 6

A perspective view of monobloc unit 601 is shown in FIG. 6. In particular, the underside is shown. When in position on the surface of a sink above the mounting hole, locating collars 602 are on the underside of monobloc unit 601. Locating collars 602 are typically 16 mm in diameter but any diameter to fit the diameter of a water pipe is within the scope of the invention. There are typically two locating collars 602 to receive the two water pipes required for a monobloc tap, namely the hot tap and the cold tap. However, a plurality of locating collars 602 may be within the scope of the invention, such as three, four, five or six locating collars should there be a corresponding plurality of water pipes.

Hole 603 receives securing bolt (not shown) which is inserted into monobloc unit 601 from the top side (not shown).

FIG. 7

Fastening plate 701 is shown in FIG. 7, having three holes in a linear arrangement. In this illustrated embodiment of the present invention, holes are circular. However, in the event that pipes with a non-standard mouth were to be used, it is within the scope of the invention that the holes could be shaped to fit. Outermost holes 702 receive water pipes; the hot water pipe passes through the first outermost holes 702 and the cold water pipe passes through the second outermost hole 702.

Central hole 703 receives securing screw (see 404 in FIG. 4). Securing bolt 404 is tightened from above the surface of the sink, which advantageously means that the plumber does not need to perform the tightening in an awkward space underneath the sink. As securing bolt 404 is tightened, fastening plate 701 is secured to underneath side of the monobloc unit and serves to prevent the monobloc unit turning.

Fastening plate 701 can also be used as a template to draw around to enlarge the standard 35 mm mounting hole on the sink. The enlarged hole is significantly easier to work with than the standard 35 mm hole.

Furthermore, in newer sinks and baths made from a composite material, mounting holes are increasingly not present. Therefore, newer sinks and baths lend themselves ideally to the process of using the fastening plate 701 as a template to draw around to produce an appropriately sized mounting hole.

FIG. 8

Fastening plate 801 is shown in FIG. 8, having three holes in a linear arrangement. In this illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the central hole 803 is circular. The two outermost holes 802 are semi-circular. The two outermost holes 802 receive water pipes; the hot water pipe passes through the first outermost hole 702 and the cold water pipe passes through the second outermost hole 702. Central hole 803 receives securing screw (see 404 in FIG. 4) as described for central hole 703 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9

A flow chart of a method of mounting a monobloc tap apparatus to a sink is illustrated in FIG. 9.

In step 901, a fastening plate is positioned underneath the sink, the plate having three holes in a linear arrangement.

In step 902, a monobloc unit is positioned above the sink, the monobloc unit having two locating collars configured to be inserted through the two outermost holes of the fastening plate.

In step 903, a hot water pipe and cold water pipe are screwed through the two outermost holes and into the two locating collars. In step 904, a securing bolt is inserted through the monobloc unit and into the middle hole in the fastening plate, and tightened from above the sink. Advantageously, the monobloc unit can be firmly attached to the sink form above. 

What we claim is:
 1. A monobloc tap apparatus for mounting to a sink, the apparatus comprising: a monobloc unit for positioning above the sink, a fastening plate for positioning underneath the sink, the plate having three holes in a linear arrangement, a securing bolt insertable through the monobloc unit and into the middle hole of the fastening plate, wherein said monobloc unit comprises two locating collars configured to pass through the two outermost holes of the fastening plate, and further wherein said securing bolt is configured to be tightened from above the sink.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sink may be any pool for the deposit of water.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sink may be a kitchen sink, a bathroom sink or a bath.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising tap handles.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said tap handles are attached to the monobloc unit once the monobloc tap apparatus is securely mounted to a sink.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two outermost holes of said fastening plate are each configured to receive a single water pipe.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each locating collar is configured to be attached to a single water pipe.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one locating collar is attached to a hot water pipe and the other locating collar is attached to a cold water pipe.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing bolt is an M8 bolt.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a copper washer and a fibre washer for use with said securing bolt.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sink comprises a single hole configured for insertion of the locating collars.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fastening plate is used as a template to enlarge said single hole.
 13. A method of mounting a monobloc tap apparatus to a sink, comprising the following steps: positioning a fastening plate underneath the sink, the plate having three holes in a linear arrangement, positioning a monobloc unit above the sink, the monobloc unit having two locating collars configured to be inserted through the two outermost holes of the fastening plate, screwing a hot water pipe and cold water pipe through the two outermost holes of the fastening plate and into the two locating collars of the monobloc unit, inserting a securing bolt through the monobloc unit and into the middle hole in the fastening plate, and tightening the securing bolt from above the sink.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of attaching tap handles to the monobloc unit once the monobloc tap apparatus is mounted to a sink.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said securing bolt is an M8 bolt.
 16. Apparatus for attaching a mixing faucet to water receiving means, comprising: a monobloc unit having a first locating collar and a second locating collar; a fastening plate having a first hole, a second hole and a middle hole between said first hole and said second hole and; a securing bolt; with instructions to perform the steps of: positioning a fastening plate underneath said water receiving means; arranging said monobloc above a water receiving means; inserting said securing bolt through the monobloc unit and into said middle hole; locating said first collar through said first hole and locating said second collar through said second hole; attaching a hot water pipe to said first collar through said first hole and attaching a cold water pipe to said second collar through said second hole; and tightening the securing bolt from above the water receiving means.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a hot tap handle and a cold tap handle, wherein said instructions include the additional step of attaching said hot tap handle to said monobloc and attaching said cold tap handle to said monobloc.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 configured for attachment to one or more of the following water receiving means, comprising: a kitchen sink; a bathroom sink; and a bath.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said instructions include the additional steps of: drilling a single hole in said water receiving means; and inserting both said first collar and said second collar through said single hole.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of washers, wherein said instructions include: applying said washers to said securing bolt; and using said fastening plate a template for defining the size of said single hole. 